Christmas is great, don't get me wrong, but I LOVE summer! Warm sunshine, green grass and leaves (although that was lacking this year), grilling, evening walks, lemonade, ice cream, bonfires, listening to cicadas, pools, lakes, sandals, HEAT. Yes, heat. All summer long I carry around a sweater to wear inside, because lots of businesses turn into ice boxes during the summer. After being in an ice box building, I think one of the best feelings is ditching my cardigan and getting into a 120ish degree car and instantly warming up. Feel free to call me crazy.
With that said, how is it already the middle of September? Even though it was 90 degrees outside today, the feeling of summer is already gone. Other than school starting and Labor Day, the end of summer was also signified by Ahmed's birthday. Ahmed turned the big 3-0 on August 29th, which he celebrated with three nights of birthday fun. I also remade last year's delicious cake.This year's cake turned out even better. Similar to last year, I had a botched batch of frosting. However, the second round frosting was not store bought, and turned out to be my new favorite! I am not a huge frosting person, and this cake is rather rich, so I was going for something on the light side. This recipe turned out exactly how I was hoping it would. Well, other than my decorating skills.
Birthday boy and I out for dinner at Chester's
I posted the cake recipe last year, so here is the recipe for the frosting:
Best Whipped Frosting(Adapted from canyoustayfordinner.com)
1 cup milk1/4 cup plus 1 tbs (5 tbs) flour2 tsp vanilla1 cup butter, at room temperature1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (not powdered sugar)
In a medium saucepan, whisk milk with flour. Heat over medium until mixture begins to sputter, whisking constantly. Mixture is done when it reaches the consistency of thick cake batter, approx. 7 minutes of heating and whisking. Stir in vanilla and set aside to cool COMPLETELY.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, or using a hand held mixer, beat butter and sugar until light, fluffy, and white in color, approx. 3 solid minutes of beating on medium-high speed. You want the sugar to be totally incorporated into the butter.
After the milk/flour mixture has cooled COMPLETELY, add it to the butter/sugar mixture. Beat all ingredients for about 1 minute on high speed, until they are smooth and well blended. The frosting should be as light and fluffy as whipped cream.
This made enough frosting to generously frost the cake I made. It was so good! I am slightly ashamed to say that over the period of a week, I ate about 3/4 of the cake. In my defense, I have been spending a lot of time at home since I still don't have a job, and I didn't want the cake to go to waste. :) I may have to stick to making this cake only for Ahmed's birthday.
Happy end of summer to all my fall loving friends!
Technically it was WOF #4, but this was the first year I attended. Ahmed and I spent a weekend camping in Yankton, SD with a group of wonderful friends.
We kicked off the weekend by arriving at the campground Friday night at dusk. Hurrying to set up our tent before dark, we realized we were missing a very important piece of tent hardware. After a few minutes ofbrainstormingme freaking out, Ahmed decided we could fashion something with duct tape to hold our tent up. By this time it was dark, but thanks to a group effort, we made it work. This was one of those not-funny-at-the-time-but-hilarious-later situations. We know how to make memories :)
It was a little sad looking, but it worked!
The duct tape was a success, considering our tent was still standing in the morning. We only got a little wet during an early morning thunderstorm, but luckily most of our belongings remained dry in the car.
Enjoying breakfast
Saturday made for a cold and damp morning, but breakfast was delicious! (As was all of the food the entire weekend- thanks for planning the menu Del!) After contemplating what to do with a chilly day, we decided to ignore the weather and go out on the boat/hang out on the beach. The water and beach were pretty deserted, with good reason- it was freezing! The sun did make a few appearances, and of course we still managed to have plenty of fun!
Delicia and Kendall on the boat
Becky and Kendall braving the tubes
While dinner was cooking, Alli organized a little WOF Beersbee tournament. The tournament got a little tricky after dark, but everyone really enjoyed playing the game!
Derek and Dori vs. Alli and Ryan
In my opinion, Sarah wins the award for best Beersbee facial expressions!
Becky is ready, but what are you doing Dan?
Other highlights of the weekend included fun and fellowship around the fire and tons of good food. Oh yeah, and that time I almost fell in the fire. No joke…it was dark and smoky and I tripped. It could have been so much worse, but I came out pretty much unscathed. If it hadn’t happened right next to the fire, I’m sure it would have been REALLY embarrassing, but my caring friends were mostly just concerned for my safety (and my camera- thanks Sarah :).
Making broomstick pies- YUM!
Ahmed and me
The girls
The whole group
I am so glad Ahmed and I were able to attend Weekend o' Fun round 4- the weekend definitely lived up to its name! We had so much fun, and it all went by way too fast. I am so thankful to call all of these awesome people friends!
After leaving Yankton, we made a pit stop in NW Iowa and spent Sunday afternoon with my family. The weekend was definitely a success!
One last thing: a little James and Elvin entertainment. Happy Wednesday!
About a year ago, I wrote my first blog post. Today, I am in the exact same place as I was last year...in the midst of a job search. The wonderful family I was nannying for has moved up to the twin cities area, and after working up there for the summer, I have returned to Rochester. I gave up my apartment about a month ago, so I am back in Rochester with no job and no apartment.
Jobless and homeless are scary sounding descriptions for my current situation, but I have no complaints. Even if it’s not ideal, I have somewhere to stay and a lot of people who love and support me. I know that God is in control and has a great plan.
Aside from my working and living situation, I have lots of other things going on in my life and relationships. These areas are a little harder for me to be content with, but I’m working on it. Last night, God knew EXACTLY what I needed to hear while I was doing my devotions, so I thought I would share them:Come to me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, My child. Actually, it draws Me closer to you, because weakness stirs up My compassion—My yearning to help. Accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that I understand how difficult your journey has been. Do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along their life-paths with ease. Their journeys have been different from yours, and I have gifted them with abundant energy. I have gifted you with fragility, providing opportunities for your spirit to blossom in My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow Me to bless you richly through it.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice. ISAIAH 42:3“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. ISAIAH 54:10In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ROMANS 8 : 26While God is carrying me through this week, I am very excited looking ahead to the weekend. I can't wait to be reunited with some great friends for a camping trip :)
My good intentions of getting caught up on my blog pre-4th of July were apparently not good enough, since the 4th was almost two weeks ago. Oh well…. Things have not slowed down since Heidi and Preston’s wedding the way I imagined they would.
The weekend after the wedding I finally had a Saturday without any big plans. Ahmed and I made a spontaneous kayaking trip to Lanesboro. For my first kayaking experience, it was a lot of fun, but 3 hours of it really wore me out!The day after kayaking, I had to “move” up to Minnetonka, MN, sore arms and all. The family I nanny for decided to enroll their girls in some summer programs in the Twin Cities area, so I am staying with them during the week. I am really missing Ahmed, but having a pool in the backyard has been pretty great with all of the hot weather that’s been around :)
The only pic from our kayaking trip. We left the camera int he car to prevent any water accidents :)
My remaining weekends in June were filled with three more weddings, which makes four total for the month of June. Whew! The weddings were with three totally different groups of people, so it was great to catch up with high school, college, and Rochester friends. One of the weekends I made a solo trip back to Iowa and was able to spend some quality time with my mom and sister (with no wedding stress!). We also made a quick trip up to Blue Mounds for some rock climbing.
I really thought I was going to get a break from the craziness over the 4th of July, because I had a full week off of work. The first half of my vacation was pretty great. Ahmed and I attended my college roommate’s beautiful wedding, and I had some more great time with my family. Then, I got sick (probably my body telling me to slow down) and also found out I had to move out of my apartment that weekend. This came as a surprise, since I wasn’t expecting to move until the end of August. Thankfully, I have the most loving mom and sister who came to Rochester and worked VERY hard to get my packed up and moved out of my apartment. I really didn’t have anywhere to move to, so my stuff is currently in a storage unit in Rochester.
College roommates Last weekend, I finally had a much needed break and a quiet couple of days. However, I’m pretty sure things won’t stay that way for long. I am technically homeless, and after the summer I will be jobless, so the job search is in full gear. I can’t really look for a place to live until I have somewhere to work…so I’m taking it one day at a time. After everything I went through with jobs last year, I did NOT think I would be in this position again so soon. It has been very difficult to find a balance between planning for my future and remembering that God is in a control and has a plan already in place.
My stuff...
I can’t believe that it’s already mid-July, but I don’t have to wonder where my summer has gone. It has been jam-packed full of weddings, friends, and family :)
The past 2 1/2 months are kind of a blur. It has definitely been the busiest I’ve been in a long time! I am currently living in Minnetonka, MN for work, but before I get to that I need to document the start of my summer. Obviously, I was busy with my sister’s wedding, but before that Ahmed and I made the 3 1/2 hour trek to Northwest Iowa 3 weekends in a row.
The second weekend in May my sister graduated from college, so the wedding prep was briefly set aside for her huge accomplishment. I’m so proud of you Heidi!
My mom and sister- aren't they beautiful? :)
Aside from my nephew’s birthday, the third weekend in May was extra special. I completed a 5k amid a sea of pink, running in memory of a dear friend, Tina Heilman. It was an honor to be a part of a group that started with some friends from high school and turned into 112 registered runners/walkers for the “Tutus for Tina” team. It was especially wonderful to catch up with my friends over the weekend!
The whole group
High school friends
Thanks to Laura for documenting the morning with such beautiful pictures!
The last of the three consecutive trips was the weekend before Heidi’s wedding (the last weekend in May). Ahmed and I were both able to stay at my parents’ house for a total of 10 days, and what a full house it was. With 8-10 people staying there every night (with one shower!) and even more several of the evenings, we were pretty cozy. It is always a blessing to be able to spend time with my family. The week was busy (as I mentioned in my last post), but so many wonderful memories were made!
Heidi's bachelorette party
Hanging out at my parents' house
Manis and pedis for the wedding
Setting up for the wedding reception
My awesome family- I love you all!
There are TONS of pictures on my Facebook page, check them out! This summer is going so fast- I can’t believe the fourth of July is only a week away! Hopefully I can catch up my blogging about June before then :)
I am back in Rochester after one crazy, hectic week which included the most beautiful wedding. Congratulations to my sister Heidi and her new hubby Preston! What an awesome day! Until I sit down and take the time to go through the 1600 pictures I took in the last week, here are a few sneak peeks:
It’s no secret how much I love my niece and nephews. So much so that sometimes people have assumed they’re mine :) Today, my oldest nephew James is turning five. He is growing to be such a sweet, smart, handsome little man! Happy Birthday, buddy! I love you!
May 15, 2007- I was in love with this sweet baby the second I saw him. It's hard to believe this was five years ago!
May 13, 2012- He is still sweet and loves to be a total goofball!
See more pictures here :)
